Comstock Images/Thinkstock(TOKYO) -- In yet another example of the economic impact the March 11 earthquake and tsunami has had on Japan, the country's finance ministry reported Wednesday that Japanese exports fell 12.5 percent in April, marking the biggest drop in 18 months.

Imports, on the other hand, went up 8.9 percent, causing the first deficit in trading in three months, according to the government. It was also the first trade deficit in 31 years for the month of April.

The finance ministry said car shipments took the biggest hit, falling 67 percent for the month.﻿